Have You Seen Me?

by Laura Denham

Laura Denham’s first novel about a young woman’s willful descent from part-time stripper, to self-employed prostitute, to low-rent S and M film star adroitly sidesteps the expectations inherent in sex-industry tell-alls, opting instead for an aesthetic closer to the edgy, skillfully composed narratives of Mary Gaitskill and Jennifer Belle. Juliet McKenna, the novel’s protagonist, heads to San Francisco just after college, filled with a mix of restless audacity and vulnerability. Her peculiar disposition proves to be relatively harmless at topless dancing at the Cherry Tree. But she quickly succumbs to the lucrative possibilities offered by the more insidious elements of the business. Written in concise, thoughtful prose, Have You Seen Me? details Juliet’s exploits with lonely hedonists and sex-crazed reprobates; from Mary, the speed snorting methadone nurse turned born-again environmentalist, to Monty, the bondage-enthusiast son of a Jesuit priest, Juliet sits comfortably amongst inhabitants of an odd world of sleaziness and aspiration. Yet, even as Juliet’s corrupted endeavors bankrupt her spirit, the possibility for renewal remains. And while her eventual regeneration at a commune of radical environmentalists (whose terrorist activities are unbeknownst to her) provides for an entertaining twist in her story, Have You Seen Me? remains a deeply affecting novel about the uncertainty and loneliness of the human soul.

Genres: Fiction

245 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Phyllis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel was an odd little book. The main character, Juliet, was so narcissistic that I was repulsed by her at times. I couldn't enjoy the book because she reminded me of someone who had been in my life.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura Denham did a stupendous job with this book IMO. I wasn't quite sure what to expect even though the description got me curious and I went months trying to get this darn book.
I was sucked in from the first page - Denham has a a certain charm to her writing. The main character feels like a friend to the reader. I totally recommend and I'd love to read something else by Denham in the near future.

[Krissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book - I got through it in two days. It's hard to explain what it's about, besides saying that it's about a young girl who falls into the life of a stripper and hooker. The ending didn't really satisfy me, though, because it kind of left me hanging, but I would definitely read more books from this author.

[Cyndy O · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is a reminder of things that we oversee.. like reasons that people do things and decide to continue to be self-destructive even if you are fully aware. It was well written. I loved some qoutes which I shall post later. It is has dark humor and a bit grotesque but very likeable.

[Brynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really got a lot from this book. It started off kind of slow but then it picked up and I couldn't put it down. I love that in a book!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

From mollested suburban teen to college burnout to stripper to low end porn actress to prostitute; this is the mother of all sad girl stories.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A- Story of intelligent women who becomes a stripper, then prost.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very well written. It seemed as if the writer had some great manuscript and then the editor told her to cut it in half. There are holes and well... it's just awkward at times.

[Kat Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another of the MANY books from Jena's awesome library.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit scattered at times, but still interesting. Think a really dark Diablo Cody who never really made it anywhere...

[Kyley Lowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK book. Started off interstingly enough, but ended rather dully.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

was given this book to read by a friend, but I did not find it that good - the story line was great just not well executed

[Eli · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull & tedious. Juliet is uninterested in her life; why should the reader be?

[Laura McKelvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

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